Boom!
The word “Pride” struck the hearts of the Princess and the Prime Minister like a bolt of lightning.
A trace of confusion flickered in Astreia’s emerald eyes.
Then, a sudden realization, like a flood washing over her.
So that’s how it is…
So, the reason she couldn’t tear herself away from those utterly shameful games wasn’t merely because of physical pleasure.
But because, in that extreme endurance and struggle, she could clearly feel how she used her absolute will to trample underfoot the desires that could consume everything.
That supreme ecstasy of conquering humanity’s most primal instincts with sheer willpower…
That absolute sense of dominance, ruling over everything—even her own desires had to bow before her…
That was what truly made her sink, what truly addicted her!
This was her Astreia Valoran’s…Pride!
On the other side, Allison Visseran’s reaction was far more intense.
The Cardinal’s pupils contracted sharply, the color drained from her face at a visible speed, leaving it pale as paper.
Yes! Pride!
How could she have forgotten this most crucial, most fundamental, the head of the Seven Deadly Sins—original sin!
In an instant, the words she had just spoken echoed in her mind.
“The Blood Empress… abducted the Alliance’s strongest hope—Justice Hero Alice.”
“She completely blackened the remaining six heroes…”
She cursed six.
The Church’s records over the centuries only ever mentioned six fallen witches.
Never once did they mention the Justice Hero who was captured!
A chilling truth revealed itself with a deafening crash.
Could it be…
As expected, the strongest Justice Hero, even after being blackened into a witch, still stood above the other Six Sins as the greatest of all—Witch of Pride?
But even so, she was probably killed by the Blood Empress…
Wendy seemed to see through the storm raging in her heart but didn’t give her any time to ponder.
He continued weaving this twisted logic flawlessly.
“Precisely because the Great Princess’s essence of corruption is ‘Pride’, she fundamentally rejects becoming a slave to desire.”
“Therefore, my method of Taming Desire could take effect.”
“Because this is not indulgence, but a higher form of…conquest.”
“Every time she successfully suppresses surging desires, she gains supreme satisfaction derived from ‘Pride’ itself.”
“And this satisfaction, in turn, nourishes her reason, making her even stronger, forming a perfect virtuous cycle.”
Allison Visseran’s lips moved, but not a word came out.
At this moment, her mind was in chaos.
Logic told her that every word this man spoke was shameless and absurd.
Yet, the internal logic of this theory perfectly explained Astreia’s current state.
Using ‘Pride’ to resist corruption?
Using the satisfaction of conquering desire to strengthen reason?
This was simply…unheard of!
But…it seemed really possible!
Wendy took in the Prime Minister’s distorted expression as her worldview collapsed, rebuilt, and collapsed again.
He laughed inwardly, but his face remained solemn and sincere.
“Now, do you understand, Prime Minister?”
“The reason why the Great Princess remains clear-minded and radiant is not because we indulge in desire.”
“On the contrary.”
“It’s because, in these three days… we’ve been using desire to rule over desire itself!”
As Wendy finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a dead silence.
Allison Visseran stared intently at Wendy, then at Astreia beside him—shy and angry, yet brimming with vitality.
Suddenly, she seemed to spot the only flaw in the theory.
“Prince Wendy, may I ask a…perhaps somewhat offensive question?”
“Please speak freely, Prime Minister.”
Wendy nodded slightly, his posture elegant.
“Though this theory is astonishing, its logic is sound.”
The Cardinal’s gaze finally settled on Wendy’s handsome face.
“But the most crucial cornerstone of this theory is you.”
“And with your looks and status, why would you cooperate with someone like the Great Princess…”
Allison Visseran chose her words with utmost care, but the meaning was sharp as a knife.
Before she could finish, she clearly felt the Great Princess’s aura shift.
A chill and violence seeped from her very bones.
Astreia clenched her fists, knuckles turning white, her face taut as ice.
Again!
Again!
Why do all of you look at me like that!
Why must you cruelly expose my ugliest scars in front of the person I love most!
Yet, just as the fury was about to erupt—
A small hand gently covered her tightly clenched fist.
Wendy grabbed Astreia’s arm, looked at the Prime Minister with an almost compassionate gaze, and finished the sentence.
“A woman so…ugly, is that it?”
Allison Visseran did not deny it, only nodded calmly, her voice devoid of emotion.
“That’s right. In these three days, using your so-called method of taming desire, Prince Wendy, you are almost playing the role of a tool to be used.”
“Faced with the Great Princess’s appearance and figure, can you really endure it, or even…enjoy it?”
Sensing the murderous light nearly bursting from Astreia’s eyes, Allison Visseran’s tone did not change as she pressed on.
“I’m not asking out of idle curiosity.”
“Rather, because the feelings between you are the only pillar that can uphold this theory.”
“If these feelings are false, or can be shaken, then the Great Princess might instantly fall into total corruption—a monster that knows only destruction.”
“And at that point, who could bring her back?”
“This concerns the life and death of the Valoran Kingdom, and even the fate of the entire continent.”
“Therefore, no matter what, today, I must have a definitive answer!”
Looking at the Prime Minister’s resolute face, Astreia’s anger involuntarily lessened a little.
But Wendy suddenly gave a mocking laugh.
“It seems that the prejudice between people is truly a mountain.”
“Even someone like you, Prime Minister, cannot escape it.”
“Hmm?”
Allison Visseran frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
The Prince no longer answered with words.
Instead, he gave the most shocking, direct answer with his actions.
He suddenly rose on tiptoe, wrapped his arms tightly around the Princess’s neck—
And, under Allison Visseran’s utterly stunned gaze, kissed Astreia fiercely and deeply on the lips.
Right before her eyes.
“Mmm!!!”
Astreia’s eyes flew open, her mind going blank.
In broad daylight!
Right in front of others!
H-how could this be?!